By Nurudeen Obalola
Super Eagles head coach Austin Eguavoen has called up 23 players for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Libya, including Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman and Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, two players in flying form.
The Super Eagles will host the Mediterranean Knights at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, before heading to Benghazi for the return leg at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium four days later.
Sevilla winger Chidera Ejuke is also recalled, the 26-year-old set to make his first appearance since 2022 at the AFCON in Cameroon.
Full-backs Ola Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi are also included, as well as goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoya, centre-backs Semi Ajayi, William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Alex Iwobi, and forwards Taiwo Awoniyi and Samuel Chukwueze.
African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen is out due to injury, the same as South Africa-based centre-back Olisa Ndah, but defender Bright Osayi-Samuel returns after missing the fixtures against Benin Republic and Rwanda in September.
Ejuke’s Sevilla teammate Kelechi Iheanacho is also in the squad, as well as midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru of Lazio, Alhassan Yusuf, now based in the United States of America, and Frank Onyeka, on loan at Augsburg from Brentford.
All the players are expected to report in Uyo on Monday, according to the Nigeria Football Federation.
Super Eagles squad vs Libya
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)
Defenders:
William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Crawley Town, England)
Midfielders:
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards:
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)
